10 Boreholes to Plug Mauritius Water Crisis at La Marie Station

Mauritius is deepening its emergency response to the island's worsening water shortage, with the government announcing that 10 boreholes will be deployed to make up for the shortfall caused by reduced capacity at the La Marie water treatment station. The announcement was made by Joomaye Assirvaden, the minister responsible for water utilities, as authorities scramble to manage a crisis that has left thousands of households across the island facing irregular or severely restricted water supply. **What is the La Marie station and why does it matter?** La Marie, located in the central plateau region of Mauritius, is one of the island's key water treatment facilities operated by the Central Water Authority (CWA) — the state body responsible for water production and distribution nationwide. When output at La Marie drops — whether due to low reservoir levels, drought conditions, or infrastructure constraints — it has a knock-on effect on supply across a wide area of the island. Mauritius has been experiencing an exceptionally dry period, with reservoirs running significantly below normal levels. The country relies heavily on surface water collected in reservoirs, making it particularly vulnerable during prolonged dry spells. **What are boreholes and how will they help?** Boreholes are deep wells drilled into the ground to access underground water sources, known as aquifers. Unlike surface reservoirs, groundwater is less affected by short-term rainfall deficits, making boreholes a valuable emergency supplement during drought periods. The CWA has used boreholes in the past as a back-up supply mechanism, but deploying 10 simultaneously signals the scale of the current shortfall. The minister indicated these boreholes would be brought online to directly compensate for the reduced throughput at La Marie, helping restore water pressure and availability to affected zones. **Who is affected?** The water crisis has hit residential areas across Mauritius, with many households receiving water for only a few hours a day — or in some cases, on alternate days. Businesses, hotels, and institutions have also been impacted, though the government has previously indicated that commercial and large-scale users such as smart cities and shopping malls would be required to share the burden of restrictions. **What this means** The borehole deployment is a short-to-medium-term fix, not a structural solution. Mauritius's water infrastructure has long faced challenges including ageing pipes, high levels of water loss through leakage, and growing demand from both population growth and tourism. While the 10 boreholes will provide some relief, experts and civil society groups have consistently called for long-term investment in water infrastructure and demand management. Residents in areas served by the La Marie station should monitor CWA communications for updates on supply schedules as the boreholes are brought into operation. Source: Le Defi Media